Display control system causing image on display screen to disappear and reappear in a friendly manner to user

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a display control system for controlling data which is displayed on a screen of a display unit. The system includes a pointing device for pointing to a position on the screen of the display unit, a deleting unit for gradually deleting elements of data from the screen of the display unit as if the elements were gradually being sucked at the position pointed to by the pointing device, and a density controller for controlling the density of elements remaining on the screen of the display unit so that the density is gradually decreased in accordance with suction of the elements. The present invention also provides a data processing apparatus which includes a pointing device for pointing to a menu on the screen of the display unit, a controller for causing menu items included in the menu pointed to by the pointing device to be display at a position on the screen of the display unit one by one in turns at predetermined intervals, a detecting unit for detecting a predetermined operation, and a selecting unit for selecting, as a menu item, to be activated, a menu item displayed on the screen of the display unit when the detecting unit detects the predetermined operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (1) Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a display controlsystem which is constituted in a data processing apparatus, such as aportable remote computer terminal or a general purpose computer, andmore particularly to a display control system which causes an image on adisplay screen to disappear and reappear in a friendly manner to a user.

[0003] (2) Description of the Related Art

[0004] In recent years, persons who are not specialists in computertechnology have started using computers (data processing apparatuses).It is desirable that not only functions and performance of the computersbe improved but also that users who are not specialists in the computertechnology can enjoy using the computers.

[0005] In conventional computers, a high importance is placed onimproving functions and performance. For example, in a case of a processfor making data (e.g., character images and/or graphical images) on adisplay screen disappear, attention is mainly paid to how the data candisappear from the display screen at a high speed and by use of a smallamount of software. In a case of a process for selecting a menu itemfrom a menu shown on a display screen, our attention is mainly paid tohow the menu item can be selected at a high speed and by use of a smallamount of software.

[0006] However, according to the conventional developing concept for thecomputers as described above, although the functions and performance ofthe computers can be improved, the computers are not necessarilyfriendly machines to users.

[0007] Thus, the applicant has proposed a data processing apparatus inwhich data disappears from and reappears on a display screen in afriendly manner. In this data processing apparatus, data (characterimages and/or graphical images) convergently disappear from the displayscreen like water being sucked by an aspirator and radially or spirallyappear on the display screen like water welling up.

[0008] It is desirable that an appearance and disappearance manner ofthe data on the display screen be more friendly to users.

[0009] In addition, it is desirable that menu items can be displayed ona limited area of the display screen so as to be easily selected by auser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is toprovide a novel and useful display control system in which thedisadvantages of the aforementioned prior art are eliminated.

[0011] A specific object of the present invention is to provide adisplay control system which can cause data (e.g., character imagesand/or graphical images) on a display screen to gradually disappear andreappear in more friendly manners to users.

[0012] The above objects of the present invention are achieved by adisplay control system for controlling data which is displayed on ascreen of a display unit, the system comprising: pointing means forpointing to a position on the screen of the display unit; deleting meansfor gradually deleting elements of data from the screen of the displayunit as if the elements were gradually being sucked at the positionpointed to by the pointing means; and density control means forcontrolling the density of elements remaining on the screen of thedisplay unit so that the density is gradually decreased in accordancewith suction of the elements.

[0013] The above objects of the present invention are also achieved by adisplay control system for controlling data which is displayed on ascreen of a display unit, the system comprising: pointing means forpointing to a position on the screen of the display unit; deleting meansfor gradually deleting elements of data from the screen of the displayunit as if the elements were gradually being sucked at the positionpointed to by the pointing means; and speed control means forcontrolling a speed at which the elements are gradually deleted so thatthe speed is gradually increased in accordance with suction of theelements.

[0014] The above objects of the present invention are also achieved by adisplay control system for controlling data which is displayed on ascreen of a display unit, the system comprising: pointing means forpointing to a position on the screen of the display unit; restoringmeans for gradually restoring elements of data on the screen of thedisplay unit as if the elements were welling up from the positionpointed to by the pointing means; and density control means forcontrolling the density of elements restored on the screen of thedisplay unit so that the density is gradually increased in accordancewith appearance of the elements.

[0015] The above objects of the present invention are also achieved by adisplay control system for controlling data which is displayed on ascreen of a display unit, the system comprising: pointing means forpointing to a position on the screen of the display unit; restoringmeans for gradually restoring elements of data on the screen of thedisplay unit as if the elements were welling up from the positionpointed to by the pointing means; and speed control means forcontrolling a speed at which the elements are gradually restored so thatthe speed is gradually decreased in accordance with appearance of theelements.

[0016] According to the present invention, while the elements of thedata are being gradually deleted and restored, the density of theelements or the speed at which the elements are deleted are controlled.As a result, the elements of the data can be gradually deleted from thescreen of the display unit as if the elements were being sucked at theposition pointed to (pointed position) more realistically, and theelements of the data can be gradually restored on the screen of thedisplay unit as if the elements were welling up from the pointedposition more realistically. Thus, data can disappear from and reappearon the screen on the display unit in a manner more friendly to a user.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dataprocessing apparatus in which menu items can be displayed on a limitedarea of the display screen so as to be easily selected by a user.

[0018] This object of the present invention is achieved by a dataprocessing apparatus in which a process corresponding to a menu itemselected from menu items displayed on a screen of a display unit isexecuted, comprising: pointing means for pointing to a menu on thescreen of the display unit; control means for, in response to a pointingoperation of the pointing means, causing menu items included in the menupointed to by the pointing means to be display at a position on thescreen of the display unit one by one in turns at predeterminedintervals; detecting means for detecting a predetermined operation; andselecting means for selecting, as a menu item to be activated, a menuitem displayed on the screen of the display unit when the detectingmeans detects the predetermined operation.

[0019] According to the present invention, menu items included in apointed menu are displayed one by one in turns at predetermined intervalon the screen of the display unit. That is, all the menu items which canbe selected are not simultaneously displayed on the screen of thedisplay unit. A menu item which is displayed when the predeterminedoperation is performed is then selected. Thus, menu items can bedisplayed on a limited area of the display screen so as to be easy to beselected by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following description when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a dataprocessing apparatus including a display control system according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconstitution of the data processing apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for deleting datafrom a display screen;

[0024]FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of movementof elements of data which are being deleted from the display screen;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a point into which elements ofdata should be convergently sucked in the process for deleting the data;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of movement ofelements of data which are being deleted from the display screen;

[0027]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for restoring data onthe display screen;

[0028]FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling aspeed at which the data is deleted;

[0029]FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling aspeed at which the data is restored;

[0030]FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a dataprocessing apparatus including a display control system according to asecond embodiment, of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconstitution of the data processing apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process for displaying menuitems; and

[0033]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a menu bar and menu items whichare displayed on a display screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] A description will now be given of a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0035] A data processing apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention is functionally formed as shown in FIG. 1.Referring to FIG. 1, the data processing apparatus 1 has a display unit50, a pointing device 51 and a keyboard 52. The pointing device 51 is,for example, a mouse. The data processing apparatus 1 further has aninput/output controller 13, a data management unit 14, an areamanagement unit 15, a display data generating unit 16, an image memory17, a detecting unit 18, a deleting unit 19 and a working memory 20.

[0036] Data (e.g., character images and/or graphical images) isdisplayed on a screen of the display unit 50. The pointing device 51points to positions on the screen of the display unit 50. The keyboard52 is used to input information to the data processing apparatus by auser. The input/output control unit 13 performs an interface process forthe display unit 50, the pointing device 51 and the keyboard 52.

[0037] The data management unit 14 manages data to be displayed on thescreen of the display unit 50. The area management unit 15 manages areainformation indicating an area in which the data managed by the datamanagement unit 14 should be displayed on the screen of the display unit50.

[0038] The display data generating unit 16 generates data (e.g.,character images and/or graphical images) to be displayed on the screenof the display unit 50 using the data managed by the data managementunit 14 and the area information managed by the area management unit 15.The data generated by the display data generating unit 16 is expanded onthe image memory 17. The data expanded on the image memory 17 isdisplayed on the screen of the display unit 50. The detecting unit 18detects, with reference to areas managed by the area management unit 15,an area including a position which is pointed to by the pointing device51 on the screen of the display unit 50.

[0039] The deleting unit 19 performs a process for deleting data withinthe area detected by the detecting unit 18. In this process, the data(e.g., character images and/or graphic images) is deleted as if the datawas convergently being sucked at a position pointed to by the pointingdevice 51. The working memory 20 is used for the process performed bythe deleting unit 19.

[0040] The deleting unit 19 has a first specifying block 21, a firstdensity control block 22, a first speed control block 23 and acompletion data output block 24. The first specifying block 21 specifiesdata which should be deleted from the screen of the display unit 50 asif the data was convergently being sucked at a position. The firstdensity control block 22 controls the density of data displayed on thescreen of the display unit 50 so that the density is gradually decreasedin accordance with the convergent suction of the data. The first speedcontrol block 23 controls the speed at which the data is convergentlysucked at the position on the screen of the display unit 50, inaccordance with the convergent suction of the data. The completion dataoutput block 24 causes completion data to be displayed at a positionnear the position into which the data is convergently sucked, when theprocess of the convergent suction of the data is completed.

[0041] The display data generating unit 16 has a restoring unit 25 andan exclusion unit 27. The restoring unit 25 restores the data which wasdeleted from the screen of the display unit 50 by the deleting unit 19.The data is restored on the screen of the display unit 50 so as to wellup from a position pointed by the pointing device 51. A setting unit 26sets information indicating a type (e.g., graphics, text or the like) ofdata in accordance with an instruction input from the keyboard 52. Theexclusion unit 27 excludes the type, indicated by information set by thesetting unit 26, of data from the data which should be restored by therestoring unit 25.

[0042] The restoring unit 25 has a second specifying block 28, a seconddensity control block 29 and a second speed control block 30. The secondspecifying block 28 specifies data which is to be restored on the screenof the display unit 50. The second density control portion 29 controlsthe density of data which is being restored so that the density isgradually increased in accordance with appearance of the restored data.The second speed control portion 30 controls a speed at which the datawells up from the position pointed to by the pointing device 51, inaccordance with appearance of the restored data.

[0043] In the data processing apparatus 1 having the above structure,the detecting unit 18 detects an area including a position pointed to(pointed position) by the pointing device 51 on the screen of thedisplay unit 50. The deleting unit 19 then deletes data within thedetected area, out of the data expanded on the image memory 17, from thescreen of the display unit 50 using the working memory 20 as if the datawas convergently being sucked at the pointed position.

[0044] While the data is being deleted as if the data was convergentlybeing sucked, the first density control block 22 of the deleting unit 19controls the density of remaining data which has been not yet deletedfrom the screen so that the density is gradually decreased in accordancethe convergent suction of the data. The first speed control block 23 ofthe deleting unit 19 controls the speed at which the data isconvergently sucked in accordance with the convergent suction of thedata. When the data is completely deleted, the completion data outputblock 24 causes the completion data (e.g., an image of a column ofsmoke) to be displayed at a position near the position into which thedata has been convergently sucked.

[0045] When a request for restoration of the data which was deleted bythe deleting unit 19 is received by the restoring unit 25, the restoringunit 25 restores, on the screen of the display unit 50, the data whichwas deleted so that the data wells up from the position pointed to bythe pointing device 51. While the data is being restored so as to wellup, the second density control block 29 of the restoring unit 25controls the density of the data restored on the screen so that thedensity is gradually increased in accordance with appearance of thedata. The second speed control block 30 of the restoring unit 25controls the speed at which the data wells up on the screen inaccordance with the appearance of the data.

[0046] According to the data processing apparatus 1 as described above,while the data (such as character images and/or graphical images) isbeing deleted as if the data was convergently being sucked at a positionon the screen of the display unit 50, the density of the remaining datais gradually decreased in accordance with the convergent suction of thedata. The speed at which the data is convergently sucked is controlledin accordance with the convergent suction of the data. Further, whilethe data is being restored as if the data was welling up from a positionon the screen of the display unit 50, the density of the data isgradually increased in accordance with the appearance of the data. Thespeed at which the data wells up is controlled in accordance with theappearance of the data. Thus, the data can disappear and appear from thescreen of the display unit 50 in a more friendly manner to the user.

[0047] The data processing apparatus as described above may be formed,for example, using a general purpose computer system (e.g., a personalcomputer). In this case, the computer system has hardware as shown inFIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the computer system 100 has the displayunit 50, the pointing device 51, such as a mouse, and the keyboard 52.The computer system 100 further has a controller 54, a hard disk unit 53(HD), a memory unit 55 and a floppy disk drive unit 56 (FDD).

[0048] The controller 54 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) whichperforms various processes corresponding to the functions of the dataprocessing apparatus as described above. The hard disk unit 53 storesdata files which may be processed in the computer system 100.Application programs may be stored in the hard disk unit 53. The memoryunit 55 includes an image memory, a working memory and various types ofmemories (a RAM and a ROM) for storing data and programs. The floppydisk drive 56 drives a floppy disk (FD) loaded therein, and data readout from the floppy disk (FD) is supplied from the floppy disk driveunit 56 to the controller 54. A program corresponding to the functionsof the data processing apparatus described above is supplied as a partof an application program, such as a word-processing application programor a graphic processing application program, to this computer system 100from floppy disks. The application program read out from the floppydisks by the floppy disk drive unit 56 is installed into the hard diskunit 53 under the control of the controller 54. The CPU in thecontroller 54 executes processes in accordance with the applicationprogram using a predetermined memory (a RAM) in the memory unit 55. As aresult, for example, a file stored in the hard disk unit (HD) 53 isopened, and data (e.g., character images and/or graphical images) on apage of the opened file is then displayed on the screen of the displayunit 50.

[0049] A user inputs a “deletion request” using the keyboard 52 todelete data on the page of the opened file. In response to the “deletionrequest”, the CPU of the controller 54 starts a process in accordancewith a procedure shown in FIG. 3.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, the CPU is waiting for an input operation instep S1. When the CPU detects that an input operation is performed, theCPU determines, in step S2, whether or not the input operation is anoperation for setting a window on the screen of the display unit 50. Ifthe operation for setting a window on the screen of the display unit 50is performed, the CPU waits for an input operation again, in step S3.When the CPU detects that an input operation is performed, the CPUdetermines, in step S4, whether or not the input operation is anoperation for pointing to a position on the screen of the display unit50 using the pointing device 51. If the operation for pointing to aposition on the screen of the display unit 50 is performed, the CPUdetects (recognizes) the pointed position in step S5. The CPU then sets,in step S6, data within the window including the pointed position asdata to be deleted.

[0051] If neither the operation for setting the window nor the operationfor pointing to the position is performed, it is further determined, instep S11, whether or not an operation for canceling the process inresponse to the “deletion request” has been performed. If the operationfor canceling the process has been performed, the process isinterrupted. On the other hand, if the input operation is not theoperation for canceling the process, the CPU further waits for theoperation for setting the window and/or the operation for pointing tothe position (in steps S1 and S3).

[0052] If a position is pointed before the operation for setting awindow is performed, all data within the screen of the display unit 50is set as data to be deleted in step S6.

[0053] After the data to be deleted is set as described above, the CPUstarts steps for deleting the data. In step S7, elements of the data(e.g., characters of a character image, image blocks of graphical image,pixels of an image or the like) within the specified window are thinnedin accordance with a predetermined rule. Remaining elements in thewindow are then moved toward the pointed position convergently so as tobe close to each other. As a result, reduced data (a reduced image) isformed of the remaining elements. The reduced data is set as new data tobe deleted. The CPU then causes the density of the reduced data to bedecreased by one rank, in step S8. For example, the number of coloreddots (e.g., black dots) included in the elements forming the reduceddata is decreased by one rank in accordance with a predetermined rule.

[0054] After this, the CPU determines, in step S9, whether or not allthe elements of the data in the window have been deleted. If all theelements in the window have not yet been deleted, the process returns tostep S7. After this, steps S7 and S8 are repeatedly executed until allthe elements in the window are deleted. If the CPU determines, in stepS9, that all the elements in the window have been deleted, the CPUcauses the display unit 50 to display a column of smoke (meaning thatall the data have been completely deleted) at a position near thepointed position on the screen, in step S10.

[0055] While step S7 is repeatedly being executed, the data (the image)within the specified window is reduced and deleted, for example, inaccordance with a rule as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4A, data to be deleted is formed of elementsarranged in a matrix. Every time step S7 is executed, elements on oddlines (1, 3, 5, . . .) in row and column directions are deleted. Theremaining elements (indicated by {circle over (X)}) are thenconvergently moved toward the pointed position so as to be close to eachother. As a result, while step S7 is repeatedly being executed, the data(e.g., a character image) is gradually reduced as if the data was beingsucked at the pointed position, as shown in FIG. 4B. Finally, the datais completely deleted from the screen of the display unit 50.

[0057] In a case where a position Po is pointed to in a window W asshown in FIG. 5, the elements of the data in the window W are thinned asfollows.

[0058] When the position Po is pointed to in the window W, the window Wis divided into areas E1 (X_(A)×Y_(A)), E2 (X_(B)×Y_(A)), E3(X_(A)×Y_(B)) and E4 (X_(B)×Y_(B)). While the elements arranged in therow direction (X) in each of the areas E2 and E4 are being repeatedlythinned the number X_(B) of times, the elements arranged in the rowdirection (X) in each of the areas E1 and E3 are being repeatedlythinned the number X_(A) of times. In addition, while the elementsarranged in the column direction (Y) in each of the areas E1 and E2 arebeing repeatedly thinned the number Y_(A) of times, the elementsarranged in the column direction (Y) in each of the areas E3 and E4 arebeing repeatedly thinned the number Y_(B) of times. According to theabove manner in which the elements in the respective areas E1, E2, E3and E4 are deleted, the elements in the respective areas E1, E2, E3 andE4 are approximately simultaneously deleted.

[0059] A step for pivoting reduced data obtained in step S7 about thepointed position by a predetermined angle may be added after step S7 orS8. In this case, the elements of the data can be moved toward thepointed position as if the elements were spirally sucked at the pointedposition.

[0060] The elements can be also moved spirally in a manner as shown inFIG. 6. In this case, every time an element in contact with apredetermined side of the pointed position Po is deleted, the elementsare spirally moved toward the pointed position Po.

[0061] As has been described above, in response to the “deletionrequest”, the elements of the data in the specified window on the screenof the display unit 50 are deleted as if the elements were convergentlysucked at the pointed position in the specified window. Further, whileelements are being deleted so that the data is reduced, the density ofthe reduced data is gradually decreased in accordance with the suctionof the elements. Thus, the data can be deleted from the screen of thedisplay unit 50 as if the data was realistically sucked at a point.

[0062] In the process shown in FIG. 3, steps shown in FIG. 7 may beadded after step S8 or substituted for step S8. In the followingembodiment, for example, steps shown in FIG. 7 are substituted for stepS8 shown in FIG. 3. Due to a process of steps shown in FIG. 7, the speedat which the elements of the data are deleted is increased in accordancewith a degree of deletion of the elements.

[0063] After the reduced data is obtained in step S7 shown in FIG. 3,the CPU starts a process of steps shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7,the CPU reads a count value i of an internal counter in step S21. Theinternal counter has already been initialized at “0”. The CPUdetermines, in step S22, whether the count value i is less than a firstreference value io (i<io). If the count value i is less than the firstreference value io, a delay timer having a first delay time (1) isactivated in step S23. After the first delay time (1) elapses, the CPUcauses the count value i of the internal counter to increment by one(i→i+1) in step S24. After this, step S9 shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

[0064] Until the count value i of the internal counter reaches the firstreference value io, step S7 shown in FIG. 3 and steps S21, S22, S23 andS24 shown in FIG. 7 are repeatedly executed. As a result, a process forreducing the data in step S7 is repeatedly executed at first intervalseach of which corresponds to the first delay time (1).

[0065] When the count value i of the internal counter reaches the firstreference value io, the CPU further determines, in step S25, whether thecount value i of the internal counter is within a range between thefirst reference value io and a second reference value i1 greater thanthe first reference value io (io≦i<i1). If the count value i is withinthe range (io≦i<i1), a delay timer having a second delay time (2) isactivated in step S26. The second delay time (2) is less than the firstdelay time (1) described above. After the second delay time (2) elapses,the CPU causes the count value i of the internal counter to increment byone (i→i+1) in step S24. In this case, until the count value i of theinternal counter reaches the second reference value i1, step S7 shown inFIG. 3 and steps S21, S22, S25, S26 and S24 are repeatedly executed. Asa result, the process for reducing the data in step S7 is repeatedlyexecuted at second intervals each of which corresponds to the seconddelay time (2). Since the second intervals corresponding to the seconddelay time (2) are less than the first intervals corresponding to thefirst delay time (1), the speed at which the data is reduced (theelements of the data are deleted) is increased.

[0066] Further, if the count value i exceeds the second reference valuei1 (i>i1), the steps S7 is executed every time the count value i isincremented by one without a delay time. As a result, the speed at whichdata is reduced (the element of the data are deleted) is furtherincreased.

[0067] According to the above process, the speed at which the elementsof the data are deleted is gradually increased in accordance with thedegree of the deletion of the elements. Thus, it appears that theelements (e.g., characters) of the data (e.g., a character image) can bemore really sucked at the pointed position convergently.

[0068] A user inputs a “restoration request” using the keyboard 52 torestore data which was deleted. In response to the “restorationrequest”, the CPU of the controller 54 starts a process in accordancewith a procedure shown in FIG. 8.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, the CPU is waiting for an input operation instep S31. If the input operation is performed, the CPU furtherdetermines, in step S32, whether the input operation is an operation forspecifying data to be restored. If the operation for specifying data tobe restored is performed, the CPU sets the data to be restored in theworking memory in step S33. After this, the CPU is waiting an inputoperation again in step S34. If an input operation is performed, the CPUfurther determines, in step S35, whether the input operation is aninstruction of an exclusion operation. The exclusion operation is anoperation for excluding a type of data (e.g., a graphical image, acharacter image, and/or a numeral image) from the data which has beenset as the data to be restored. If the instruction of the exclusionoperation is input, the CPU executes the exclusion operation, in stepS36, so that one or a plurality of types of data are excluded from thedata to be set as the data to be restored. After this, the CPU iswaiting for an input operation again in step S37. If an input operationis performed, the CPU determines, in step S38, whether the inputoperation is an operation for pointing to a position on the screen ofthe display unit 50 using the pointing device 51. If the operation forpointing to a position is performed, the CPU detects (recognizes) thepointed position in step S39.

[0070] If the exclusion operation is not performed, all the datainitially specified by the user is set as the data to be restored. Inaddition, if the CPU determines, in steps S43, that an operation forcanceling the process has been performed, the CPU ends the process.

[0071] After the CPU detects (recognizes) the pointed position in stepS39, the CPU starts a process for restoring the data on the screen ofthe display unit 50. In step S40, elements are selected from the data tobe restored in accordance with a rule inversely related to the rule inwhich the elements of the data to be deleted are thinned as describedabove (see FIG. 4A). The selected elements are rearranged and displayedso as to be close to each other at positions including the pointedposition on the screen of the display unit 50. The displayed elementsare expanded on the screen of the display unit 50 in accordance with arule inversely related to the rule in which the elements are movedtoward the selected point so as to move close to each other to form thereduced data as described above (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). Step S40 isexecuted once, so that the data is partially restored on the screen ofthe display unit 50. Data formed of the elements which are expanded isreferred to, for example, as sparse data. The sparse data obtained instep S40 has a density (initially at a minimum value).

[0072] In step S41, the CPU causes the density of the sparse dataobtained in step S40 to be increased by one rank. For example, thenumber of colored dots (e.g., black dots) included in each of theelements of the sparse data is increased by one rank in accordance witha predetermined rule. After this, the CPU determines, in step S42,whether all the elements of the data set as the data to be restored arerestored on the screen of the display unit 50. If there are elements tobe restored, the process returns to step S40.

[0073] In step S40 at this time, elements are selected from the data tobe restored in accordance with the rule described above. The selectedelements are then added to the sparse data so that all elements areclose to each other. All the elements are expanded in accordance withthe rule described above so that new sparse data is obtained. Afterthis, in step S41, the density of the sparse data is increased by onerank in the manner described above. Until all elements of the data setas the data to be restored are restored, the process in steps S40 andS41 is repeatedly executed. As a result, the elements of the data arerestored on the screen of the display unit 50 as if the elements welledup from the pointed position. The density of the data restored on thescreen of the display unit 50 is gradually increased in accordance withincreasing of the number of elements forming the data restored on thescreen.

[0074] According to the above process in response to the “restorationrequest” from the user, the data is restored on the screen of thedisplay unit 50 as if the data welled up from the pointed position.Further, while the data is being restored, the density of the data isgradually increased in accordance with the appearance of the data. Thus,the data (e.g., a character image and/or a graphical image) can berestored on the screen of the display unit 50 as if the data well uprealistically.

[0075] The elements of the data may be restored on the screen in a rulewhich is inversely related to the rule in which the elements arespirally deleted as described above (e.g., the rule illustrated in FIG.6). In this case, the elements of the data are restored on the screen ofthe display unit 50 as if the elements spirally welled up from thepointed position.

[0076] In addition, the elements of the data may be restored on thescreen in a rule which is inversely related to the rule illustrated inFIG. 5. In this case, the elements of the data are restored on thescreen as if the elements radially welled up from the pointed position.

[0077] In the process shown in FIG. 8, steps shown in FIG. 9 may beadded after step S41 or substituted for step S41. In the followingembodiment, for example, steps shown in FIG. 9 are substituted for stepS41 shown in FIG. 8. Due to a process of steps shown in FIG. 9, thespeed at which the elements of the data are restored is decreased inaccordance with a degree of restoration of the elements.

[0078] After the sparse data is obtained in step S40 shown in FIG. 8,the CPU starts a process of steps shown in FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 9,the CPU reads a count value i of an internal counter in step S51. Theinternal counter has been already initialized at “0”. The CPUdetermines, in step S52, whether the count value i is less than a firstreference value io (i<io). If the count value i is less than the firstreference value io, the count value i is incremented by one (i→i+1) instep S53. After this, step S42 shown in FIG. 8 is executed.

[0079] Until the count value i of the internal counter reaches the firstreference value io, step S40 shown in FIG. 8 and steps S51, S52 and S53shown in FIG. 9 are repeatedly executed. As a result, a process forrestoring the data in step S40 is repeatedly executed at shortintervals.

[0080] When the count value i of the internal counter reaches the firstreference value io, the CPU further determines, in step S54, whether thecount value i of the internal counter is within a range between thefirst reference value io and a second reference value i1 greater thanthe first reference value io (io≦i<i1). If the count value i is withinthe range (io≦i<i1), a delay timer having a second delay time (2) isactivated in step S55. After the second delay time (2) elapses, the CPUcauses the count value i of the internal counter to increment by one(i→i+1) in step S53. In this case, until the count value i of theinternal counter reaches the second reference value i1, step S40 shownin FIG. 8 and steps S51, S52, S54, S55 and S53 are repeatedly executed.As a result, the process for restoring the data in step S40 isrepeatedly executed at second intervals each of which corresponds to thesecond delay time (2). Since the intervals at which the process forrestoring the data in step S40 is repeatedly executed lengthen, thespeed at which the elements of the data are restored is decreased.

[0081] Further, if the count value i exceeds the second reference valuei1 (i>i1), a delay timer having a first delay time (1) is activated instep S56. The first delay time (1) is greater than the second delay time(2) described above. After the first delay time (1) elapses, the CPUcauses the count value i of the internal counter to increment by one(i→i+1) in step S53. In this case, step S40 shown in FIG. 8 and stepsS51, S52, S54, S56 and S53 are repeatedly executed. As a result, theprocess for restoring the data in step S40 is repeatedly executed atfirst intervals each of which corresponds to the first delay time (1).Since the first intervals corresponding to the first delay time (1) aregreater than the second intervals corresponding to the second delay time(2), the speed at which the elements of the data are restored is furtherdecreased.

[0082] According to the above process, the speed at which the elementsof the data are restored is gradually decreased in accordance with theincreasing of the number of elements restored on the screen. Thus, theelements (e.g., characters) of the data (e.g., a character image) can berestored on the screen as if the elements realistically welled up fromthe pointed position.

[0083] In the first embodiment as described above, the data processingapparatus is formed using the general purpose computer. However, thepresent invention is not limited to this. The data processing apparatusaccording to the present invention may be formed using a portable remotecomputer terminal and other types of computers.

[0084] A description will now be given of a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0085] A data processing apparatus according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention is functionally formed as shown in FIG. 10.Referring to FIG. 10, the data processing apparatus 2 has a display unit40, a pointing device 41 and an input/output control unit 42. The dataprocessing apparatus 2 further has a menu item management unit 43, adetermination unit 44, a display control unit 45, a detecting unit 46and a selecting unit 47.

[0086] The display unit 40 is formed, for example, using a LCD (LiquidCrystal Display) panel. The pointing device 41 is used to point topositions on a screen of the display unit 40. The input/output controlunit 42 performs interface processes for the display unit 40 and thepointing device 41.

[0087] The menu item management unit 43 manages menu items which are tobe displayed on the screen of the display unit 40. The determinationunit 44 determines whether or not an instruction for displaying menuitems has been issued. The display control unit 45 causes menu itemsmanaged by the menu item management unit 43 to be displayed on thescreen of the display unit 40 one by one in turns. The detecting unit 46detects that a pointing operation using the pointing device 41 isinterrupted. The selecting unit 47 selects a menu item to be activated.

[0088] In the data processing apparatus which is functionally configuredas described above, the following processes are formed.

[0089] When the determination unit 44 determines that an instruction fordisplaying menu items has been issued, the display control unit 45causes the menu items managed by the menu item management unit 43 to bedisplayed in an area including a position pointed to by the pointingdevice 41 on the screen of the display unit 40 one by one in turns. Inthis state, when the detecting unit 46 detects that the pointingoperation using the pointing device 41 has been interrupted, theselecting unit 47 selects a menu item which is displayed at this time asan item to be activated.

[0090] According to the data processing apparatus of the secondembodiment of the present invention as described above, in response tothe pointing operation using the pointing device 41, the menu items aredisplayed on the screen of the display unit 40 one by one in turns. Inresponse to interruption of the pointing operation, a single menu itemto be activated is selected. Since all the menu items which can beselected are not simultaneously displayed on the screen, an area inwhich the menu items are displayed on the screen can be narrowed. Inaddition, an operation for selecting a menu item from among a pluralityof menu items can be simplified. Thus, a plurality of menu items can bedisplayed on a limited area of the display screen so as to be easilyselected by a user.

[0091] The data processing apparatus according to the second embodimentof the present invention as described above may be formed, for example,using a portable remote computer terminal. In this case, the computersystem has hardware as shown in FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 11, thecomputer system 200 has a display unit 50 such as an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) panel and a pointing device 51 such as a pen-touch inputdevice. The computer system 200 further has a controller 57 and a memoryunit 58.

[0092] The controller 57 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) whichperforms various processes corresponding to the functions of the dataprocessing apparatus as described above. The memory unit 58 includesvarious types of memories, such as a RAM, a ROM and a memory card (a ROMcard and/or a RAM card), for storing various types of data and programs.A menu file used to manage menu items to be displayed on the screen ofthe display unit 50 is stored in a memory included in the memory unit58.

[0093] A program corresponding to the functions of the data processingapparatus described above has been previously installed in the ROM ofthe memory unit 56. The program may be supplied as a part of anapplication program, such as a word-processing application program, tothe portable remote computer terminal (the computer system 200) using aROM card. The CPU in the controller 57 executes processes in accordancewith the program, stored in the memory unit 58, corresponding to aprocedure shown in FIG. 12.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 12, the CPU causes a menu bar to be displayedon the screen of the display unit 50 in step S60. The menu bar isformed, as shown in FIG. 13, of menus (EDIT, PRINT, FILE, GRAPHICS andTOOL). Menu items included in the respective menus (EDIT, PRINT, FILE,GRAPHICS and TOOL) in the menu bar are managed in the menu file storedin the memory unit 58. For example, the menu “EDIT” includes menu items“MOVE”, “COPY”, “INSERT”, “DELETE”, etc. In a state where the menu baris displayed on the screen of the display unit 50, the CPU is waitingfor a pointing operation for pointing to one of menus in the menu bar instep S61. This pointing operation means an instruction for displayingmenu items. A user performs the pointing operation which points to, forexample, a menu “EDIT” in the menu bar using the pointing device 51. Inresponse to the pointing operation, the CPU reads out a first menu item“MOVE” of the menu pointed to (pointed menu) “EDIT” from the menu filein the memory unit 58. Only the first menu item “MOVE” is then displayedat the position pointed to by the pointing device on the screen of thedisplay unit 50 in step S62.

[0095] After this, the CPU causes an internal timer to be reset to “0”(T=0) and to start in steps S63 and S64. The CPU then determines, instep S65, whether or not the pointing operation is interrupted, that is,whether or not the pointing device 51 (a touch-pen) is separated fromthe screen of the display unit 50. After this, the CPU furtherdetermines, in step S66, whether or not a timer value T of the internaltimer reaches a reference value To. Until the timer value T reaches thereference value To, the CPU is repeatedly determining, in step S65,whether or not the pointing operation is interrupted. If the timer valueT reaches the first reference value To (T≧To) before the pointingoperation is interrupted, the CPU causes the menu item displayed on thescreen to be changed from the first menu item “MOVE” to the second menuitem “COPY” in, step S67.

[0096] After the displayed menu item is changed, the internal timer isreset to “0” and starts in the same manner as described above (steps S63and S64). The CPU then determines, in step S65, whether or not thepointing operation is interrupted. After this, the same process (insteps S66, S67, S63, S64 and S66) is repeated until the CPU determinesthat the pointing operation is interrupted. During this process, thedisplayed menu item is changed one by one in turns(“MOVE”→“COPY”→“INSERT”→“DELETE”→ . . . “MOVE”→ . . .) at intervals eachof which corresponds to the reference value To.

[0097] For example, when the pointing operation is interrupted, that is,when the pointing device 51 is separated from the screen of the displayunit, the CPU causes a menu item which is displayed at this time to beselected in step S68. As a result, the CPU recognizes that aninstruction corresponding to the selected menu item has been received.

[0098] The data processing apparatus according to the second embodimentof the present invention is formed in the portable remote computerterminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Theprocessing apparatus having the functions described in the secondembodiment may be formed in a general purpose computer (e.g., a personalcomputer).

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the aforementionedembodiments, and other variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claimed invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display control system for data control duringscreen display operations, the system comprising: a pointing device thatindicates a position on a screen of a display unit; and a deleting unitthat successively deletes first elements of data from a specified areaof the screen and rearranges second elements of data remaining in thespecified area to provide an appearance that the second elements of dataare gradually withdrawn from the specified area at the indicatedposition, said deleting unit including a first density control unitthat, in accordance with successively deleting the first elements ofdata, reduces a density of a second element of data remaining in thespecified area by decreasing a component of the second element of data,while said second elements of data are being rearranged.
 2. The displaycontrol system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: a completionindicating unit that displays a predetermined image at a specifiedposition on the screen when all the second elements of data have beendeleted as first elements of data.
 3. A display control system for datacontrol during screen display operations, said system comprising: apointing device that indicates a position on a screen of a display unit;and a deleting unit that successively deletes first elements of datafrom a specified area of the screen and rearranges second elements ofdata remaining in the specified area to provide an appearance that thesecond elements of data are gradually withdrawn from the specified areaat the indicated position, said deleting unit including a first speedcontrol unit that controls respective time intervals to be successivelyshorter during which the first elements are successively deleted.
 4. Thedisplay control system as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising: acompletion indicating unit that displays a predetermined image at aspecified position on the screen when all the second elements of datahave been deleted as first elements of data.
 5. A computer-readablemedium encoded with a program for controlling data display operations,said program comprising the functions of: detecting a position on ascreen of a display unit, the position being indicated by a pointingoperation; successively deleting first elements of data from a specifiedarea of the screen, and rearranging second elements of data remaining inthe specified area, to provide an appearance that the second elements ofdata are gradually withdrawn from the specified area at the indicatedposition; and reducing, in accordance with successively deleting thefirst elements of data, the density of a second element of dataremaining in the specified area by decreasing a component of the secondelement of data, while said second elements of data are beingrearranged.
 6. The computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 5 ,wherein said program further comprises the function of displaying apredetermined image at a specified position on the screen when all thesecond elements of data have been deleted as first elements of data. 7.A computer-readable medium encoded with a program for controlling datadisplay operations, said program comprising the functions of: detectinga position on a screen of a display unit, the position being indicatedby a pointing operation; successively deleting first elements of datafrom a specified area of the screen, and rearranging second elements ofdata remaining in the specified area, to provide an appearance that thesecond elements of data are gradually withdrawn from the specified areaat the indicated position; and controlling respective time intervals tobe successively shorter during which the first elements of data aresuccessively deleted.
 8. The computer-readable medium as claimed inclaim 7 , wherein said program further comprises the function ofdisplaying a predetermined image at a specified position on the screenwhen all the second elements of data have been deleted as first elementsof data.
 9. A data processing apparatus using a computer specificallyconfigured by execution of a program encoded on a computer-readablemedium, the program controlling data display operations and includingthe functions of: detecting a position on a screen of a display unit,the position being indicated by a pointing operation; successivelydeleting first elements of data from a specified area of the screen, andrearranging second elements of data remaining in the specified area, toprovide an appearance that the second elements of data are graduallywithdrawn from the specified area at the indicated position; andreducing, in accordance with successively deleting the first elements ofdata, the density of a second element of data remaining in the specifiedarea by decreasing a component of the second element of data, while saidsecond elements of data are being rearranged.
 10. The data processingapparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the program further comprisesthe function of displaying a predetermined image at a specified positionon the screen when all the second elements of data have been deleted asfirst elements of data.
 11. A data processing apparatus using a computerspecifically configured by execution of a program encoded on acomputer-readable medium, the program controlling data displayoperations and including the functions of: detecting a position on ascreen of a display unit, the position being indicated by a pointingoperation; successively deleting first elements of data from a specifiedarea of the screen, and rearranging second elements of data remaining inthe specified area, to provide an appearance that the second elements ofdata are gradually withdrawn from the specified area at the indicatedposition; and controlling respective time intervals to be successivelyshorter during which the first elements of data are successivelydeleted.
 12. The data processing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 ,wherein the program further comprises the function of displaying apredetermined image at a specified position on the screen when all thesecond elements of data have been deleted as first elements of data. 13.A display controller for data control during screen display operations,the controller comprising: a deleting unit that successively deletesfirst elements of data from a specified area of a display screen andrearranges second elements of data remaining in the specified area toprovide an appearance that the second elements of data are graduallywithdrawn from the specified area at a position indicated by a pointingdevice, said deleting unit including a first density control unit that,in accordance with successively deleting the first elements of data,reduces a density of a second element of data remaining in the specifiedarea by decreasing a component of the second element of data, while saidsecond elements of data are being rearranged.
 14. The display controlleras claimed in claim 13 , further comprising: a completion indicatingunit that displays a predetermined image at a specified position on thescreen when all the second elements of data have been deleted as firstelements of data.
 15. A display controller for data control duringscreen display operations, the controller comprising: a deleting unitthat successively deletes first elements of data from a specified areaof a display screen and rearranges second elements of data remaining inthe specified area to provide an appearance that the second elements ofdata are gradually withdrawn from the specified area at a positionindicated by a pointing device, said deleting unit including a firstspeed control unit that controls respective time intervals to besuccessively shorter during which the first elements are successivelydeleted.
 16. The display controller as claimed in claim 15 , furthercomprising: a completion indicating unit that displays a predeterminedimage at a specified position on the screen when all the second elementsof data have been deleted as first elements of data.
 17. A displaycontroller for data control during screen display operations, saidcontroller comprising: a deleting unit that successively deletes firstelements of data from a screen of a display unit; and a density controlunit that, in accordance with successively deleting the first elementsof data, reduces a density of a second element of data remaining on thescreen by decreasing a component of the second element of data.
 18. Adisplay controller for data control during screen display operations,said controller comprising: a deleting unit that successively deleteselements of data from a screen of a display unit; and a speed controlunit that controls respective time intervals to be successively shorterduring which the elements of data are successively deleted.
 19. Adisplay controller for data control during screen display operations,said controller comprising: a restoring unit that successively restoresfirst elements of data to a screen of a display unit; and a densitycontrol unit that, In accordance with successively restoring the firstelements of data, increases a density of a second element of datapreviously restored to the screen by increasing a component of thesecond element of data.
 20. A display controller for data control duringscreen display operations, said controller comprising: a restoring unitthat successively restores elements of data to a screen of a displayunit; and a speed control unit that controls respective time intervalsto be successively longer during which the elements of data successivelyrestored to the screen.
 21. A computer-readable medium encoded with aprogram for controlling data display operations, said program comprisingthe functions of: successively deleting first elements of data from ascreen of a display unit; and reducing, in accordance with successivelydeleting the first elements of data, a density of a second element ofdata remaining on the screen by decreasing a component of the secondelement of data.
 22. A computer-readable medium encoded with a programfor controlling data display operations, said program comprising thefunctions of: successively deleting elements of data from a screen of adisplay unit; and controlling respective time intervals to besuccessively shorter during which the elements of data are successivelydeleted.
 23. A computer-readable medium encoded with a program forcontrolling data display operations, said program comprising thefunctions of: successively restoring first elements of data to a screenof a display unit; and increasing, in accordance with successivelyrestoring the first elements of data, a density of a second element ofdata previously restored to the screen by increasing a component of thesecond element of data.
 24. A computer-readable medium encoded with aprogram for controlling data display operations, said program comprisingthe functions of: successively restoring elements of data to a screen ofa display unit; and controlling respective time intervals to besuccessively longer during which the elements of data are successivelyrestored to the screen.
 25. A display controller for data control duringscreen display operations, said controller comprising: a deleting unitthat successively deletes first elements of data from a screen of adisplay unit; and a density control unit that, in accordance withsuccessively deleting the first elements of data, varies a density of asecond element of data remaining on the screen by decreasing a componentof the second element of data.
 26. A display controller for data controlduring screen display operations, said controller comprising: a deletingunit that successively deletes elements of data from a screen of adisplay unit; and a speed control unit that controls respective timeintervals to be successively varied during which the elements of dataare successively deleted.
 27. A display controller for data controlduring screen display operations, said controller comprising: arestoring unit that successively restores first elements of data to ascreen of a display unit; and a density control unit that, in accordancewith successively restoring the first elements of data, varies a densityof a second element of data previously restored to the screen byincreasing a component of the second element of data, while said secondelements of data are being rearranged.
 28. A display controller for datacontrol during screen display operations, said controller comprising: arestoring unit that successively restores elements of data to a screenof a display unit; and a speed control unit that controls respectivetime intervals to be successively varied during which the elements ofdata are successively restored to the screen.
 29. A computer-readablemedium encoded with a program for controlling data display operations,said program comprising the functions of: successively deleting firstelements of data from a screen of a display unit; and varying, inaccordance with successively deleting the first elements of data, adensity of a second element of data remaining on the screen by varying acomponent of the second element of data.
 30. A computer-readable mediumencoded with a program for controlling data display operations, saidprogram comprising the functions of: successively deleting elements ofdata from a screen of a display unit; and controlling respective timeintervals to be successively varied during which the elements of dataare successively deleted.
 31. A computer-readable medium encoded with aprogram for controlling data display operations, said program comprisingthe functions of: successively restoring first elements of data to ascreen of a display unit; and varying, in accordance with successivelyrestoring the first elements of data, a density of a second element ofdata previously restored to the screen by varying a component of thesecond element of data.
 32. A computer-readable medium encoded with aprogram for controlling data display operations, said program comprisingthe functions of: successively restoring elements of data to a screen ofa display unit; and controlling respective time intervals to besuccessively varied during which the elements of data are successivelyrestored to the screen.
 33. A method for controlling data displayoperations, the method comprising: detecting a position on a screen of adisplay unit, the position being indicated by a pointing operation;successively deleting first elements of data from a specified area ofthe screen, and rearranging second elements of data remaining in thespecified area, to provide an appearance that the second elements ofdata are gradually withdrawn from the specified area at the indicatedposition; and reducing, in accordance with successively deleting thefirst elements of data the density of a second element of data remainingin the specified area by decreasing a component of the second element ofdata, while said second elements of data are being rearranged.
 34. Themethod as claimed in claim 33 , further comprising displaying apredetermined image at a specified position on the screen when all thesecond elements of data have been deleted as first elements of data. 35.A method for controlling data display operations, the method comprising:detecting a position on a screen of a display unit, the position beingindicated by a pointing operation; successively deleting first elementsof data from a specified area of the screen, and rearranging secondelements of data remaining in the specified area, to provide anappearance that the second elements of data are gradually withdrawn fromthe specified area at the indicated position; and controlling respectivetime intervals to be successively shorter during which the firstelements of data are successively deleted.
 36. The method as claimed inclaim 35 , further comprising displaying a predetermined image at aspecified position on the screen when all the second elements of datahave been deleted as first elements of data.
 37. A method forcontrolling data display operations, the method comprising: successivelydeleting first elements of data from a screen of a display unit; andreducing, in accordance with successively deleting the first elements ofdata, a density of a second element of data remaining on the screen bydecreasing a component of the second element of data.
 38. A method forcontrolling data display operations, the method comprising: successivelydeleting elements of data from a screen of a display unit; andcontrolling respective time intervals to be successively shorter duringwhich the elements of data are successively deleted.
 39. A method forcontrolling data display operations, the method comprising: successivelyrestoring first elements of data to a screen of a display unit; andincreasing, in accordance with successively restoring the first elementsof data, a density of a second element of data previously restored tothe screen by increasing a component of the second element of data. 40.A method for controlling data display operations, the method comprising:successively restoring elements of data to a screen of a display unit;and controlling respective time intervals to be successively longerduring which the elements of data are successively restored to thescreen.
 41. A method for controlling data display operations, the methodcomprising: successively deleting first elements of data from a screenof a display unit; and varying, in accordance with successively deletingthe first elements of data, a density of a second element of dataremaining on the screen by varying a component of the second element ofdata.
 42. A method for controlling data display operations, the methodcomprising: successively deleting elements of data from a screen of adisplay unit; and controlling respective time intervals to besuccessively varied during which the elements of data are successivelydeleted.
 43. A method for controlling data display operations, themethod comprising: successively restoring first elements of data to ascreen of a display unit; and varying, in accordance with successivelyrestoring the first elements of data, a density of a second element ofdata previously restored to the screen by increasing a component of thesecond element of data.
 44. A method for controlling data displayoperations, the method comprising: successively restoring elements ofdata to a screen of a display unit; and controlling respective timeintervals to be successively varied during which the elements of dataare successively restored to the screen.